Britain celebrated the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday with tributes to a popular monarch who has steered it through the decline of empire and a wave of scandals to the Internet age.

Prime Minister David Cameron hailed her as “a rock of strength for our nation” while her son and heir Prince Charles marked the occasion by reading Shakespeare in a special broadcast on BBC radio.

In the streets, thousands of well-wishers burst into an impromptu rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ as the Queen arrived to mark her 90th milestone with her subjects.